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2025-05-21
They are through in the Startup Challenge business idea competition
The jury has made its selection and five entries have now moved on to the Startup Challenge business idea competition organized by Innovatum Science Park and University West in collaboration with Skill. The ideas include everything from AI-based delivery robots and products for smart color management to a solution for sustainable metal recycling.
- "We are impressed by the creativity and potential of the entries submitted! It is clear that there is a great entrepreneurial drive among both students and doctoral students to solve societal problems in smart ways," says Markus Sulkupuro, business coach at the startup activities at Innovatum Science Park.
The five-week competition is aimed at students, researchers and doctoral students at University West and has been open to business ideas in all types of industries. In the assessment process, the jury has looked at criteria such as market need, level of innovation, sustainability and scalability.
-"Many of the ideas combine research, creativity and societal benefit, and in the assessment work we have really seen a breadth of ideas, which is fantastic," says Alexandra Bousiou, Innovation Advisor at University West.
The winner, who will be announced on Thursday, May 22, will receive SEK 25,000 in start-up capital from Skill and business development support via Innovatum Science Park's incubator and University West's innovation office to take their idea further.
The entries that went forward:
1. ReFabWeld - Turning industrial scrap metal into high-value products By collecting, analyzing and processing scrap metal (e.g. scrap pieces and discarded parts), it is upcycled into products such as customized industrial fixtures, furniture or repair parts. The transformation is done using robotic welding and WAAM technologies. The solution helps to reduce raw material costs, lower carbon emissions and creates added value from waste. Team: Ebrahim Harati 2. Smart paint management product Develops a smart paint management product that can be used by professionals and consumers. The aim is to promote more resource-efficient painting, where the environment, economy and user-friendliness go hand in hand. Team: Arvid and David Karlingsjö 3.Guide to systematic innovation work The public sector has great potential to improve efficiency through innovation, but according to the team lacks systematic strategies. The work is often person-dependent, leading to sporadic innovation, inefficient use of resources and limited dissemination of solutions. The team is therefore developing a guide with concrete strategies and methods for systematic innovation work in public administration and also wants to offer digital guidance. Team: Ann-Christine Bergqvist & Linnéa Tegelmark |
| 4. SQUARE - AI-based delivery robots for leasing Wants to contribute to reduced emissions and flexible delivery options for grocery stores and other market players. Develops lightweight, self-driving delivery robots for urban environments to be leased out. Designed to ensure reliable and environmentally friendly deliveries, the robots find the shortest delivery route using AI-based navigation. Team: Prajwal Mahesh Palled, Aditya MVS , Deepak Bellikatti & Zainab Fatima Bokhari 5. WeldMind - Digital platform connecting welding skills with companies in need There is a global shortage of skilled welders across a range of industries. In addition, the skill requirements for both welders and welding engineers are increasing. WeldMind wants to help solve the problem through a digital platform that connects certified welders, welding technicians and welding engineers with companies in need. As well as engineering students and graduates with relevant companies for internships, summer jobs and employment. Team: Ebrahim Harati |